Triboelectrification in Sliding/Rolling Contacts Using Twin-Ring Tribometer

Abstract

It has generally been considered that “triboelectrification” is synonymous with frictional charging, because a charge increases with an increase in the number of sliding cycles. However, the effect of sliding is not fully understood because the charge generation effect of sliding is not strictly comparable with that of rolling. In order to demonstrate the effect of sliding and rolling for charge generation, we have investigated the triboelectrification processes by using one experimental setup that enables both the sliding and rolling (no relative sliding) contact. Electrically isolated metal and polymer rings were in sliding or rolling contact by using a ring-on-ring rolling/sliding tester. The charge of both specimens increased positively or negatively and reached saturation. The saturation values of the charge generated by rolling and by sliding were similar. The results showed that charge generation was not combined with friction. This article concludes that the mechanism of triboelectrification is mainly controlled by contact/separation processes.

KEY WORDS:

• Triboelectrification
• Tribocharging
• Sliding Contact
• Rolling Contact
• Work Function
• Symmetric Sliding
• Asymmetric Sliding

Review led by Yeau-Ren Jeng